Council Archives

Regional Technical College for Naas; To allow young married couples qualify for affordable housing

Tue 3 Apr 2001

(a) That Naas U.D.C. actively pursues the establishment of a Regional Technical College for Naas."

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Conway and seconded by Cllr. Bracken.

The Town Clerk read a report to the meeting which stated that it was an objective of the Councils 1999 Development Plan to encourage the sitting of a third level Institute of Technology and outreach facility in Naas at Osberstown on lands zoned for Education/Community purposes. The report noted that there were twenty acres adjacent to the Millennium Park presently zoned for Education/Community purposes. The report also indicated that, given the designation of Naas in conjunction with Newbridge and Kilcullen as primary growth centres, the establishment of a third level institute in the town would be compatible with that designation.

In proposing the motion, Cllr. Conway stated that it was important that a third level facility be provided in Naas. He stated that Tallaght RTC is very keen to establish an outreach facility in Naas. He referred to a survey undertaken by the Youth Parliament in relation to second level students attending third level colleges.

Cllr. Bracken supported the motion stating that many young people are travelling out of Naas on a daily basis to third level institutes.

Other members of the Council spoke in favour of the motion.

The motion was then unanimously approved by the Council.

(b) "That this Council make a very strong case to the Department of Housing to increase the qualifying level from £25,000.00 to £32,500.00 to allow young married couples qualify for affordable housing."

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Conway and seconded by Cllr. Byrne.

The Town Clerk read a report to the meeting which stated that the existing limit of £25,000.00 for an Affordable Housing loan excluded a large number of people from availing of the Affordable Housing Loan Scheme. He stated that an increase would facilitate many more people in acquiring a house. The Town Clerk also read a motion which had been received from Kilrush U.D.C. which was seeking to have the limits for Affordable/Social Housing increased.

In proposing the motion, Cllr. Conway stated that he was receiving a large volume of queries in relation to Affordable Housing. He stated that the situation now was that people from Naas, because of affordability problems, had to move out of Naas to buy houses.

Cllr. Byrne in supporting the motion stated that the income limit needs to be increased to at least £32,500.00 and fully supported the motion. A discussion then took place on the motion, to which all the members contributed.

Cllr. Egan stated that, while he would support the motion, it was the wrong way to approach the problem. He stated that house prices are continuing to increase and that the price of housing needs to be brought down.

In conclusion, Cllr. Conway stated that the Council should be in control of its own land in relation to the allocation of Affordable Housing. Cllr. Callaghan asked that the motion be strengthened and asked that it be brought back before a future meeting of the Council. Following further discussion the following revised amendment to the motion was agreed.

"That the Council make a very strong case to the Department of Housing to allow each Local Authority to determine eligibility for Affordable Housing Schemes having regard to the cost of housing locally."

(c) "That this Council make arrangements with Duchas to clean the canal of papers and bottles on a regular basis."

The motion was proposed by Cllr. Conway and seconded by Cllr. Bracken.

In response to the motion, the Town Clerk noted that Duchas had carried out substantial maintenance works in recent times on the Canal but he would pursue them in relation to carrying out maintenance on a regular basis.

Cllr. Conway congratulated Duchas on the work they had done on the Canal in recent times but stated that a regular programme for removing of cans and tins needs to be undertaken and he suggested that this be done by Naas U.D.C. staff.

Cllr. Byrne referred to the responsibility of Duchas for Ploopluck Bridge and stated that there should be a realigning of the footpath provided.